The growth process behind the name of NieR is undoubtedly attributable to a Darwinian conception: I am not referring to quality, but to the fuss that these four letters hide behind them and to speak of the excellent Never: Automata it is necessary to take a step back. By now everyone will have read about the return to vogue of the first title, which after an unfortunate launch in 2010 has gradually created a small niche of proselytes, who have immediately defined that title as "strange, old, but at the same time fascinating and dreamlike ". This circle of bewitched and misunderstood followers has never been heard or frowned upon, at least until the existence of another upcoming chapter regarding the Drakengard spin-off was revealed during E3 two years ago. The metamorphosis has taken place, the ugly duckling becomes a swan in the eyes of all and slowly the comments on the predecessor have changed, prompting people to recover and re-evaluate it. Thus comes NieR: Automata, which sees Square Enix entrust development to the veterans of Platinum Games, learning from the weak points of the previous title and replacing Cavia with a team more accustomed to this genre of action game. By proposing a creepy soundtrack, a system of perspective change by applause and guided by the undisputed genius of the master Yoko Taro, we undertake our earth research as the android 2B.
"Glory to Mankind"
Note well, the information I will give on the plot will be devoid of any spoilers or particular details, because it is so intriguing and peculiar that every little anticipation would be a sacrilege and would deprive you of a lot. What was expected was a very similar gameplay title to its predecessor, but with a improved graphic sector and a smoother action component and current. Apart from the plot, it is exactly what has been proposed to us, but with numerous additions that make it even superior to the requests of the fanbase. In the shoes of the handsome android 2B and with the 9S unit to support him, we will find ourselves investigating the earth, a planet that the aliens long ago snatched from the human race, took refuge on the moon and now populated by thousands of "biomachines". All we will say is that the latter will behave in an unusual way and the 2B s combat unit will find themselves not only fighting them, but also investigating something much bigger. Our protagonists are YoHRa units, human-like androids created specifically to fight the threat and allow humans to take back their beloved land. Obviously they will not be the only ones and during our adventure we will also deal with some of our fellow soldiers.
Cubic sphere
The splendid thing that characterizes NieR: Automata hides in the sunlight and is called variety: After having had a taste of what the title can offer during the prologue (as purely “bullet hell” phases, or 2D platform-style fights) we will realize how much the work of Platinum Games has made the brand fluid and malleable. These phases in fact follow each other and alternate from phase to phase, but also within a single bossfight and without the need for uploads, but with a simple change of camera perspective. All this not only makes it splendidly at an artistic level, allowing us to take advantage of the camera to enjoy some breathtaking views, but it is damn well suited to the various combat phases that we will face (I stress that the camera in these phases self-sets itself in the solution required by the eventuality ). The area that we will be covering in game is huge and littered with objects, secret passages and points where you can unlock the quick rescue. Even if the overview in some areas is to be left open-mouthed, unfortunately we are not faced with a title that excels from a graphic point of view, as many had hoped by watching the first game trailers: a not exactly invisible aliasing tries to disguise itself among the angular lines of the buildings of the city, while on the other hand the particle effects that we will be able to notice in the desert areas are much better, alongside a reproduction all in all good water. The biggest question mark concerns the frame rate, fixed and without smudging during the fights, but which on PlayStation 4 inexplicably jams in quiet phases and places where there are no enemy units. Why talk about this sector before the gameplay? To leave the dessert in the end, since these are the only flaws that the game presents.
As fast as the wind
What the silver P has never lacked is a great sense of movement and especially of timing in hand-to-hand combat in the first person. This time, however, the challenge was more difficult, because to their classic modus operandi they had to add mechanics and logics that were not exactly conventional (at least until today), which somehow traced the action RPG peculiarities of the predecessor. Leaving aside the previously mentioned changes of perspective, already the trademark of the first NieR, in NieR: Automata the absence of Grimoire Weiss is justified with the presence of the POD, a floating robot that will accompany the two androids, providing support fire and skills very powerful specials and definitely useful in combat. The freedom to eliminate our opponents will be incredible, since we will be able to exploit a huge amount of sidearms, creating our personal sets and managing our tactics. In fact, we will be able to favor close combat rather than distance combat or vice versa, or keep our qualities in balance. Customization will be everything: these android models have slots for "Chips", which can be placed within a maximum and expandable space, will provide us with skills or increase statistics in particular. In practice, this is an improved system of "words" that we could equip NieR's weapons and abilities. Before continuing, however, I make a note: there is a really interesting mechanic regarding the death of your character, but I will not reveal which one, because it will be wonderful to find out for yourself. Regardless of your fighting style, in NieR: Automata it will be essential to be fast and lethal: As could be expected from an actionhack 'n slash-style title, dodging achieves basic importance within combat, while also providing a powerful bonus attack right after it (did anyone say Bayonetta? fate was released in 2010 as the first NieR?). The dodge, also available in the air, will not only avoid unpleasant HP losses, but it acts as a real "accelerator" in the phases of movement on foot with our deadly miss. Getting around on foot? It will be necessary? Absolutely yes.
Road Trippin '
But don't worry, this is a point in favor: as you may have understood, even if I have not mentioned it yet, it is a openworld, with varied and suggestive locations, but above all full of things to do. Often you will lose the compass, but in every hidden corner with the help of the map you will find a dedicated terminal for rescue and rapid transport. The gigantic map of NieR: Automata is littered with enemies (some not hostile), flesh and blood animals like our dear old boars, but also with NPCs that they will assign us countless side missions. It is easy to get lost in them, because many of them contain beautiful sub-plots and in addition we await huge rewards in consumable items, materials, but also money and experience. The comic streak is present, strong and indisputably appreciable: clearly the Japanese irony is recognizable for those who often approach the Action RPGs of this mold and will make us smile often, also dampening the sometimes quite serious tones of the stunning main plot. I warn you, you will have many doubts right away and if you ask yourself questions it is not due to an alleged madness. It won't be 9S, it won't be the NPCs, nor the POD your most appreciated travel companion. This is because immeasurable, incomparable, masterful, returns there excellent quality of the soundtrack. After having bewitched, spoiled and entranced in the first chapter, Square Enix proposes one of the main dishes of the house in Automata, not only reshaping and re-proposing the historic "Song of The Ancients", but churning out totally new and viral tracks at the same time, which are not they have nothing to envy to their predecessor. To reinforce the tones also a excellent dubbing in English, which joins the excellent localization work provided with the translation into our language, which alas, as you will remember, was absent long ago. Last but not least, I remind you what the title is very long-lived and that with each additional run (up to 3 total) parts of the story will be added and only at the end of the last one will you really know how the game should really end. To remain open-mouthed.
